Heart disease is a killer. In fact, it is the number one killer in North America taking another life every 33 seconds!

Thousands of people with great cholesterol readings continue to die every year from heart disease. Women need to also pay close attention, as heart disease should not be considered just a “man’s disease”. In 1996, 52.7% of all female deaths were due to heart disease, compared to 47.3% for men. That is more deaths due to compromised circulation than the next 16 causes of death combined.

An alarming 800,000 North Americans die each year from heart disease. And people don’t die due to high cholesterol ‘numbers’. They die from the disease process that prevents your trillions of cells from getting sufficiently nourished and cleansed.

Ensuring proper circulation is essential. Your life is literally dependent upon your circulation. The vast majority of the vital functions of circulation are done in the microcirculation network of capillaries; where some of these are so small; it takes 10 of them to equal the width of a single human hair. This is where the oxygen and nutrition is transferred to vital organs and tissues, and where CO2 (carbon dioxide) and other waste toxins are removed. This is possible because the membrane walls are so thin, this exchange can easily occur in a healthy system.

Basically your cardiovascular health is totally dependent upon how efficient the arteries to your heart are at delivering oxygen and nutrient enriched blood through the arteries, into the capillaries and then returning this to start the cycle over and over again.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

One in four North Americans suffer from overt diagnosed cardiovascular disease, and that does not include all the individuals yet to be diagnosed. Over 50 million suffer from increased resistance within their circulatory system, particularly the arteries and microcirculation, with the result being the risks associated with increased blood pressure.

It is important to note that a disproportionately large amount of blood pressure resistance arises from within your microcirculation. The overall health of your cardiovascular system is greatly impacted by even the smallest capillary. It can become blocked and affect the blood flow to all parts of the human body. This is just one example of the cascading affect of high blood pressure.

Complacency is dangerous when it comes to heart disease for virtually all of us have elevated blood pressure readings throughout the day depending on our stress levels. So, as your heart pumps 100,000 times day, any improvement that can be accomplished in lowering blood pressure by increasing the diameter within the arteries and capillaries can pay big dividends in decreasing wear and tear on the heart and the entire cardiovascular system.

Diabetes mellitus (Sugar diabetes)

We all know someone with diabetes, which is not surprising since it is the fastest rising cause of death in America. New cases of diabetes pile up at a rate of 798,000 annually and contribute to the cause of many deaths indirectly as well; including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, amputations, dental disease, nervous system disease, infections, and others.

Improved microcirculation can help mitigate some of the short and long term side effects of diabetes, since this disease is directly linked to decreased efficiency of microcirculation. This can arise in some diabetics simply from an increase in capillary resistance early on in the disease process, further damaging local tissues and vital organs such as the kidneys, which are all dependent upon capillary blood flow to function.

Diabetes cases are projected to surge in the next few years. The University of Maryland, School of Medicine states that more than 258,000 residents are estimated to have diabetes, yet only 129,000 have been diagnosed with it. The impact of early intervention can’t be over-emphasized, educating a friend or family member can be a life saving pursuit that rewards you and them for a lifetime.

Glaucoma

As was stated before, the cardiovascular system reaches and affects all areas and functions of the body, your eyes are no exception. Glaucoma is a common condition that arises from increased pressure within the eye which has now also been linked to vascular changes in microcirculation.

It is important to remember the eye is the only readily assessable window to view circulatory and neurological health. When a physician examines your eye with an ophthalmoscope the life sustaining arteries and veins can be clearly observed along with actual nerves, providing vital information to gauge vascular health.

Microcirculation and Smokers:

Individuals that have become addicted to nicotine require more help to protect and offset the detrimental effects on their microcirculation. Nicotine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which can lead to vasoconstriction (narrowing) of arteries and increased resistance in arteries and capillaries. The sum effect is more work for the heart from increased blood pressure, at the same time that the body has less oxygen and more waste products to cope with as a direct effect of smoking.

Stopping smoking is a challenge even for those with strong wills, but until success is achieved, offsetting side effects by improving micro-circulation is a good investment in yourself or someone you love. It should be noted that smoking increases the risk of dying from heart disease by 140% to 240% even in those that smoke lightly and an incredible 350% for heavy smokers.

Part of the challenge of successfully kicking this life threatening habit comes down to brain chemistry and proper brain circulation is essential for optimal production of neurotransmitter messengers linked to the addictive cycle that smokers find themselves.

Microcirculation and Alcohol

When drinking alcohol, a certain degree of free radical damage occurs. The classic signs of changes in circulatory health in consumers of alcohol are clear with the overt redness of the cheeks and nose, and frequently the visible appearance of blood vessels on the surface of the face. Numerous chemical processes are required to detoxify the body from the metabolism (breakdown) of alcohol. Therefore as with all forms of the clearing of waste products from the body, optimal circulation and microcirculation should be actively sought and enhanced.

Microcirculation and Stress

The effects of this constant exposure to stress are numerous and include lowered immune function and diminished blood flow. Thus, with increased stress, the tissues of your body are asked to cope with a heightened level of alertness or readiness, commonly known as the “fight or flight response”. As a result, your micro-circulation particular to vital organs is detrimentally altered.

Millions of us exist in this state of high demand for abundant delivery of nutrients and oxygen to sustain our rapid lifestyle, yet our body must deal with drought-like conditions when it comes to proper circulation.

When pursuing peak performance nourishing the body with sufficient nutrients and oxygen is key, yet without the highways and by-ways that take the form of arteries within your body, the supply center may be full, yet your tissues can literally starve awaiting life-sustaining circulation.

Microcirculation Facts:

There are some 18,000 miles of capillaries within the body.

Peripheral vascular disease is the leading cause of amputation in this country.

Colds hand and feet can be a warning sign of poor circulation.

Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs can point to a lack of microcirculation.

Raynaud’s phenomenon results from too much contraction within the circulation network.

Healthy capillaries are so small that red blood cells must pass through single file.

Capillaries are how your body nourishes the trillions of cells (that equal you).

Self Tests:

Do you have cold hands and feet?

Do you have creases in your ear lobes?

Clinically this can suggest that your capillaries are becoming compromised.

If you place your fingertip between your opposing hands index finger and thumb squeeze firmly on the nail bed for 5 seconds, does it seem to take a more than a second or two to become pink again? Also how pink was your fingernail to start with? (Compare with friends).

Sexual Ability is all about optimal circulation, if you have experienced a change, it is likely that insufficient circulation is largely to play in most individuals – both men and women. Also certain medications and other disorders may be at play, when in doubt check it out.

Do you lack energy and vitality?

Do you pick-up viral infections such as the common cold and the flu?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, improving your microcirculation could reward you with significant long-term health benefits. These simple indicators could very well be the first warning signs that you need to focus on maintaining a healthier cardiovascular system both actively and passively.

Steps to Improve Your Circulation:

Eating a proper and healthy diet can be essential in providing your body and microcirculation with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants. Regular exercise can also greatly improve blood flow and increase the immune response to stress. In addition to regular exercise and proper diet, the additional steps you can take to help improve your microcirculation can be relatively simple.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbals like LingZhi Medicinal Mushrooms, plus Cordyceps have all been clinically shown to help strengthen and enhance microcirculation. They also support immune function, acting as antioxidants and helping to fuel the body with oxygen and nutrition.

Similarly, ongoing Cordyceps research has demonstrated blood pressure lowering, vasodilating (blood vessel expanding), protection against heart ischemia (lack of oxygen) and blood clot formation. These study findings strongly support the role of Cordyceps as a tool in the arsenal to augment and support healthier microcirculation. These properties are in addition to Cordyceps anti-fatigue and anti-stress effects that have also been noted in the medical literature.

Summary

In closing, there is a popular adage that states the best way to prevent heart disease is to choose ones parents carefully. Well, it’s too late for that, so it is time to go to work. After all, the only way to guarantee the future is to create it. And if you don’t – no one else can or will.

Premature heart disease and death is preventable. Investing in your microcirculation, with lifestyle and proper diet and nutrition is the single best investment you can make for you and the ones you love.

Health Tips
On the Go!

Improve Posture

1.Avoid slouching. Be aware of your posture as you walk, sit, and drive, keep shoulders squared and head pulled back and up.

2.Imagine a thread pulling the top of your head toward the ceiling. Visualization can help improve your sense of position.

3.If your job requires you to sit for long periods, take frequent breaks to stand, stretch and shake it out.

4.Maintain a strong core to help support proper posture. Add core-training exercises to your daily routine.

5.A firm mattress and ergonomic pillow help achieve proper back support while you sleep, so you'll stand straighter in the a.m.

Please Note: The information and all statements provided on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information provided, and any products or services mentioned, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Please speak with a health professional for your individual health and medical concerns and consultation.